Page 98 of Spark
It had then been picked up by a host of other websites, including several travel sites that used it as part of their “Top Ten Haunted Hotels” features.
A week later, Eddy grudgingly admitted to Daniel that his hotel was completely booked out for the next eighteen months, which was as far ahead as the resort’s reservations software would allow.
He had then hired Sophie to mine her interviews for the most interesting paranormal incidents she'd recorded about the Bearpaw Springs Resort, and to write them up for the hotel's website and a new brochure aimed at the paranormal tourism market.
Sophie, tailed by Matt and Chris, walked downstairs and out the back to the big garden.
Everyone was there—Mom, Mitya, Dane and Annabeth, along with Chris’s dad Pete, mom Jenny, and his stepmom Kayla, plus all of the other Swansons who lived on this ranch.
Thor Swanson had even flown in from Denver, with his beautiful sabertooth mate Cassie and his two daughters.
Best of all, Grandma Elle had agreed to preside over their commitment ceremony. She stood waiting for them on the deck, smiling, as the three of them emerged from the house. Her sister Margaret stood at her side, serving as the principal witness on behalf of the Cougar Lake Pride.
Both the sisters were wearing nice summer dresses and sandals, and Margaret wore her long, freshly-highlighted chestnut hair braided and wrapped around her head.
The assembled crowd of shifters, their mates, and children, all gathered around. It took a few minutes, because they were scattered around the garden, setting up tables and helping Justin and Daniel tend several huge barbecues fashioned from 55-gallon metal drums.
The air was warm, and the scent of heirloom roses drifted from the flowerbeds, mingling with the succulent smells of roasting meat and vegetables.
Standing between her two men, all three of them holding hands, Sophie was overflowing with happiness.
Elle raised her hands for silence, and began to speak. “I’m delighted to welcome you all here to witness a first for our clan. We are gathered here today to celebrate a most unusual mating. As the matriarch of the Swanson Clan, I hereby formally invite Christopher Daniel Langlais, a member of the Cougar Lake Pride, to join our clan with all of the entailing support and responsibilities. Chris is already loved by us as one of our own, and I’m thrilled to make it official.”
Everyone applauded. When the clapping and whoops of support had died away, Elle turned and nodded at her sister.
“Everyone,” Margaret said. “Thank you so much for joining us on this very special day. The events of the past several weeks have reminded me of how far we’ve come in acceptance of others into our clans, and what can happen if we close our hearts to love. On behalf of the Cougar Lake Pride’s governing council and members, who so generously adopted me into their ranks twelve years ago, and have accepted me as one of their own, I’d like to welcome Matt and Sophie to our pride, and to extend all of the privileges and responsibilities of adult voting members.”
More applause followed.
It was time for the next part of the ceremony. Sophie, Matt, and Chris had debated long and hard over whether they needed to speak vows at all, since they were already mated. In the end, they had reached a compromise, with something short, simple, and to the point.
Elle spoke again. “Sophie Markidis, daughter of the Swanson clan, do you affirm and declare that you are now mated to Matthew Swanson, a son of the Swanson clan, and Christopher Daniel Langlais, a son of the Cougar Lake Pride?"
“I do, and I am. Forever,” Sophie said.
Everyone looked at her, but instead of feeling flustered, she felt like she was floating. This felt so right.
Elle turned to Matt and said, “Matthew Swanson, son of the Swanson clan, do you affirm and declare that you are now mated to Sophie Markidis, a daughter of the Swanson clan, in partnership with Christopher Langlais, a son of the Cougar Lake Pride?”
“I do, and I am. Forever,” Matt said. He turned to place a gentle, lingering kiss on Sophie’s lips.
Then it was Chris’s turn. “Christopher Langlais, son of the Cougar Lake Pride, do you affirm and declare that you are now mated to Sophie Markidis, a daughter of the Swanson clan, in partnership with Matthew Swanson, a son of the Swanson clan?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Chris said, sounding completely choked up. Sophie squeezed his hand reassuringly. “Uh, I mean, I do. I am. Forever.”
Amid a ripple of gentle laughter from the assembled witnesses, he, too, leaned in for a kiss.
“Family and friends,” Elle said in a ringing voice. “Let’s celebrate this mating and our new clan members!”
The next few minutes were pure chaos, as the guests surged forward to offer Sophie, Chris, and Matt hugs and congratulations.
Gradually, the crowd surrounding them thinned out as people headed for the potluck buffet and the platters of grilled brisket, ribs, sausages, and hamburgers.
When only their respective parents and step-parents remained, Sophie cleared her throat. “I, um, have an announcement.”
Everyone froze. Then Athena asked in a smart-ass tone, “You’re notpregnant, are you?”
Mom actually looked worried at that, so Mitya put his arm around her shoulders.
